Smoking with herbs and incense

Incense herbs and incense combine a practice dating back thousands of years with the modern need for atmosphere, ritual and reflection – whether at a medieval market, in a re-enactment camp, at a LARP event or at home during the Twelve Days of Christmas. This category brings together incense blends, resins, incense woods, herbs and the appropriate accessories for incense burning for anyone who wishes to experience incense burning authentically and mindfully.

What incense is – and why there are so many forms

Incense is a collective term for all substances that produce aromatic smoke when burned – herbs, resins, woods, ready-made blends and incense sticks are all included. The diversity of forms is not a modern phenomenon, but the result of millennia of cultural practice across several continents: each culture developed its own incense rituals, preferred substances and accessories, based on the local flora and available trade routes.

A fundamental difference to be aware of when purchasing is that between direct and indirect burning. In direct burning, the material burns with an open flame – just like an incense stick. In indirect burning, the material is placed on top of a glowing, no-longer-burning charcoal; this produces aromatic smoke without a flame, and the fragrances unfold more slowly and with greater nuance. The latter method is particularly suitable for resins and herbs – and was already the preferred technique in monasteries and churches during the Middle Ages.

In our range, you’ll find not only individual components but also ready-blended incense mixtures from the Druidcraft brand – from elemental compositions such as Terra, Ignis, Aeris and Aqua to themed blends for seasonal festivals. These sets are recommended for beginners as they eliminate the need to blend individual ingredients; experienced incense users tend to opt for individual resins or herbs and create their own blends. Incense made from woods, resins and herbs is available, as are incense sticks for meditation and yoga.

Incense at a glance: herbs, resins, woods and blends

Characteristic of the Druidcraft range are the mythological and elemental references in the blends: Ignis combines benzoin, myrrh, dragon’s blood and aniseed for a fiery, energising note – Aqua focuses on dreamwork and soul care with copal, hyssop and juniper berries. Those who prefer pure resins and incense will also find olibanum, myrrh and copal available as individual components.

Which incense herbs are suitable – and how to use them correctly

Spiritual incense burning: meaning, effects and instructions

The spiritual dimension of incense burning is not a modern invention – it runs through virtually all advanced civilisations throughout history. In antiquity, priests offered aromatic resins at the altars of the gods; in the Christian Middle Ages, the scent of incense marked the sacred nature of worship; in monasteries, monks documented their knowledge of herbs and used specific plants for purification rituals. In European folk tradition, homes and stables were fumigated during seasonal festivals to seek protection and bid farewell to the old year.

The effect of incense can be described on several levels: atmospherically, aromatic smoke creates a clearly perceptible change in a room – the interplay of scent, wisps of smoke and the ritual act of burning has a focusing effect and draws attention. Psychologically, certain scents such as lavender (calming), rosemary (clarifying) or camphor (refreshing and invigorating) have long been known. In folk medicine, the antimicrobial properties of thyme, sage and lavender were already being used intuitively in the Middle Ages – even though the biochemical understanding was lacking. No healing claims can be derived from this, but the applications handed down through generations have a comprehensible basis.

Step-by-step: Indirect smoking with charcoal

1. Hold a self-igniting incense charcoal tablet with tongs and light it on the side with a lighter or match until it sparks and glows evenly.
2. Place the charcoal in a fireproof dish – ideally on a bed of sand or salt to protect the dish from the heat.
3. Wait until the charcoal is fully glowing and shows a layer of grey ash (approx. 3–5 minutes).
4. Place the incense – resin, herbs or a mixture – onto the charcoal in small portions using an incense spoon. Don’t use too much at once: less is more.
5. Allow the smoke to drift naturally through the room or gently disperse it with a feather.
6. Never leave the bowl unattended and allow it to cool completely after burning before putting it away.

The so-called ‘smudging’ to dispel negative energy is a custom deeply rooted in the folk culture of many countries: one systematically smudges every corner of a room – starting from the farthest corner, always moving towards the door – and combines the action with a conscious thought or intention. Whether one interprets this spiritually or simply as a ritual to raise awareness is up to the individual. Safety note: Always burn incense in well-ventilated rooms and never leave it unattended. If the smoke alarm goes off, it can be covered briefly – but must be reactivated immediately after burning.

Burning incense throughout the year: Which incense suits which time of year

The right incense accessories: What you need to get started

Whether you’re starting with a simple incense stick, looking for specific resins and herbs, or want to equip your re-enactment camp with authentic incense accessories – browse through the range and find the right incense for your next event.

Frequently asked questions

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